CHRISTIAN LIFE >> Christian Warfare
SDAH 619
Lead on, O King eternal,
the day of march has come;
henceforth in fields of conquest
thy tents shall be our home.
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
Ernest Warburton Shurtleff was asked by his classmates at the Andover Theological Seminary to write words for the march of the graduates to receive their diplomas in 1887. They already knew the tune LANCASHIRE, so Shurtleff wrote these three stanzas in that meter. While the words breathe a martial spirit, which is enhanced by the music, there is nevertheless a recognition that “the kingdom of God cometh not with observation. For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17: 20, 21).
Shurtleff was born on April 4, 1862, in Boston, Massachusetts. He studied at Harvard and trained for the ministry, graduating from the Andover Theological Seminary in 1887. He was ordained to the Congrega- tional ministry in 1889 and occupied pastorates in California, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. In 1905 he went to Frankfurt, Germany, and while there Paris and did relief work during World War I until his death in Paris, organized the American Church. He worked among the American students in August 24, 1917. He was the author of several books.
LANCASHIRE was composed in 1835 by Henry Smart (1813-1879; see SDAH 119) for the 300th anniversary of the Reformation in England. It sung to the words “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains” at the music festival at Blackburn in Lancashire (hence the name) on October 4, 1835. Smart also Composed SDAH 119, REGENT SQUARE. LANCASHIRE first appeared in Psalms and Hymns for Divine Worship, 1867.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
Lead on, O King eternal,
the day of march has come;
henceforth in fields of conquest
thy tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation
thy grace has made us strong;
and now, O King eternal,
we lift our battle song.
2
Lead on, O King eternal,
till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
and holiness shall whisper
the sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords loud clashing,
nor roll of stirring drums;
with deeds of love and mercy
the heavenly kingdom comes.
3
Lead on, O King eternal,
we follow, not with fears,
for gladness breaks like morning
where’er thy face appears.
Thy cross is lifted o’er us,
we journey in its light;
the crown awaits the conquest;
lead on, O God of might.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(b) Luke 17:20 (c) 2 Tim 4:8
Author
Ernest W. Shurtleff (1862-1917)
Year Published
1887
Hymn Tune
LANCASHIRE
Metrical Number
7.6.7.6.D.
Composer
Henry Smart (1813-1879)
Year Composed
1835
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